2019-2020 Howland Mat Cats Wrestling Club
2019-09-16
Welcome Letter from Coach Mock
We are excited to start a new season and we have some new changes that will improve Howland Mat Cats Wrestling Club.
HMCWC will have 2 practices per week providing we have approval from the school. Since we are a club and not affiliated with the school, they have been generous enough to allow us to use high school wrestling room. We are only allowed to use it when there is not a basketball game.
All wrestlers in grades 1-6 will be part of the HMCWC after they sign up and pay the $95 yearly fee. Siblings will be $80. (No child under 1st grade will be accepted.)
Last season, we made some improvements to our program which helped to strengthen practices and allow wrestlers to move at a faster pace. Kids must be mentally and physically ready to start this wrestling program. Starting wrestling at the right time can produce a youth wrestler that wants to compete and win at wrestling.
Although we strive to accommodate wrestlers at all levels of experience, all HMCWC wrestlers will be required to listen, pay attention, follow instructions, respect the coaches and be a productive part of the team. (Please not that wrestlers who repeatedly cause disruptions will be given 2 warnings. The 3rd disruption will involve a parent/guardian and may result in the wrestler not continuing with HMCWC.)
We have a strong program that produced 7 state qualifiers, 4 state placers AND our first-ever state champion!!! Our practices are the toughest offered in any sport at Howland. When the kids believe and engage in our process, they will become more capable and tougher wrestlers!
Our practices will start in November and continue through January (two days per week). HMCWC will wrestle on Sundays in December and January. Times for matches will be announced when the league gives them to us. The sectional tournament for the varsity team will be the first weekend in February. The varsity team consists of 20 weight classes. The varsity team for each weight class will be determined by wrestle offs.
We will start wrestle-offs either the 2nd or 3rd week of practice. Wrestlers must attend every practice as to not miss an opportunity for wrestle-offs. Once the varsity team is set, it will be sent it to the league. The varsity roster can change from week to week depending on health and Sunday availability. The winner of the wrestle off will be the varsity wrestler for that weight class. If the varsity wrestler is sick or not present on Sunday, another wrestler will be selected. Wrestlers will be able to challenge for a specific weight class at the first practice of the week – by telling Coach Mock. The wrestler must be within 2 pounds of weight class they are challenging.
Anyone not making the varsity team will be on the all-star team. All-star matches are selected by age, experience and weight. All 3 will be considered in selecting another wrestler for your child to wrestle, making it as fair as possible. Everyone will get a match on Sunday!
We always could use more help. If you would like to get closer to the action on Sundays, we always need table workers. They usually get in free. If you can help, please see Coach Mock.
We want all wrestlers, parents and coaches to have a great experience this year. We expect all wrestlers, parents and coaches to show good sportsmanship for the entire year. Under no circumstances is anyone to yell or blame the refs for their kid losing. They make mistakes but one call does not likely determine the outcome of the match. Everyone makes mistakes including the wrestlers and coaches. This is youth wrestling, let’s keep that in mind. Please go directly to Coach Mock if you feel something is wrong.
Our biggest channel for communication is the Remind App. I will be sending messages and important papers through the App such as the wrestler’s handbook, schedule, etc. You must download the App to be able to view and print these.
We are glad you are a part of the greatest sport – wrestling! Wrestling teaches much more than just a few moves, it will teach your child self-discipline, physical and mental toughness and much more.
“Once you’ve wrestled, everything in life is easy”- Dan Gable, Olympic Gold Medalist
Looking forward to a great season,
Coach Mock